Changes in melatonin, leptin and corticosterone production in rats subjected to day restricted feeding during pregnancy and lactation

• Grant number: 12/20320-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Gabriel Forato Anhê
• Grantee: Jessica Meulman
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Circadian variations in food intake are inwardly synchronized with metabolic rhythms and endocrine oscillations. Medical findings demonstrate that patients that eat up to 50% of their daily caloric needs during the night are predisposed to obesity. In addition, these patients have high morning levels of cortisol, morning anorexia, and reduced nocturnal levels of melatonin and leptin. Similar to humans, rodents that are forced to eat during the light phase of the light-dark cycle gain more weight, become obese, and secrete less melatonin during the night when compared to their ad libitum counterparts. Besides these circadian variations, endocrine secretions are subjected to fine-tuning during temporally limited conditions such as pregnancy. During gestation, rats display transitory insulin resistance and increased leptin, melatonin, and corticosterone levels. Some of these adaptations are resumed to a non-pregnant state during lactation. So far, it is not known IF changes in the feeding Schedule are able to modulate the endocrine adaptation of pregnancy and lactation. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate if day-restricted feeding during pregnancy and lactation are able to interfere in the changes of melatonin, leptin, insulin, and corticosterone levels often detected during these periods.(AU)